GOP Rep. Luna says she plans to force inherent contempt vote on Friday against Garland

An inherent contempt vote, which would result in the arrest of Garland, has not taken place in close to a century.

Published: June 25, 2024 1:06pm

Updated: June 25, 2024 2:34pm

Florida GOP Rep. Anna Paulina Luna said on Monday evening that she plans to force a House floor vote on Friday to hold Attorney General Merrick Garland in "inherent contempt," which would require the House sergeant-at-arms to arrest him.

An inherent contempt vote has not taken place in close to a century.

Earlier in June, the GOP-led House voted 216-207 to hold Garland in contempt of Congress for declining to provide Congress with the audio recording of special counsel Robert Hur's interview with President Joe Biden for his classified documents investigation.

Hur concluded in his report that "Biden would likely present himself to a jury, as he did during our interview of him, as a sympathetic, well-meaning, elderly man with a poor memory." He declined to pursue charges against Biden.

Luna announced on Monday night that she would attempt to force the vote on Friday.

"Under inherent contempt, the individual is brought before the bar of the House by the Sergeant at Arms, tried by the body, and can then be detained either in the Capitol or in D.C.," Luna wrote. "This process demonstrates the seriousness with which Congress views non-compliance and the potential consequences for those who refuse to cooperate."